Question

How should neonatal hemolytic jaundice, which presents with yellow skin and symptoms of crying and restlessness, be treated?

Answer

The cause of neonatal hemolytic jaundice is often related to incompatibility between the mother’s and the fetus’s blood types. The characteristics of this condition include mild yellowing of the conjunctiva, elevated levels of total bilirubin in the serum, and an increase in urobilinogen in the urine without bilirubin. Severe jaundice may lead to drowsiness and lack of vitality in infants. Treatment methods include:

  • Daily Care: Protect the baby’s skin and closely monitor their overall symptoms.
  • Dietary Management: If it is lactogenic jaundice, breastfeeding should be temporarily suspended for 3 to 5 days. Ensure that the newborn has adequate water intake, as insufficient urine output is harmful to bilirubin excretion. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid drinking alcohol and consuming spicy foods.